Trip to York 'not ideal' after Brackley Town's frustrating start

Kevin Wilkin has admitted a trip to title favourites York City is “probably not an ideal game” for Brackley Town at the moment.

Nonetheless, the Saints will travel to take on the Minstermen in the Vanarama National League North this weekend and hoping for a change in fortune.

Brackley’s league campaign has got off to a slightly disappointing start as they were beaten 3-0 at AFC Telford United before squandering a 2-0 advantage before drawing 2-2 with Curzon Ashton at St James Park last weekend.

Wilkin has been without influential captain Gaz Dean as well as Glenn Walker due to injuries, although summer signing Ashley Chambers did return to the squad last Saturday.

The Brackley boss is hopeful Dean will soon return although Walker remains on the sidelines.

And he knows his big players are needed for the big occasions.

“It was very disappointing after being 2-0 up at home and if you look at the goals we have shipped so far this season, it’s totally uncharacteristic from us,” Wilkin said.

“We have got injuries to some crucial players and we have had to switch personnel and when that happens this is where you find yourself.

“Having said that, we had more than enough chances to win the game and we could and should have been out of sight really.

“York are going to be there or thereabouts and, at this stage, it’s probably not an ideal game to come into after two poor results.

“But if we can get one or two back, hopefully people will see us in a different light and more in control of the game as we have been recently.”

Wilkin, meanwhile, had mixed feelings after Brackley moved into the fourth qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup without playing this week.

The Saints had been due to lock horns with league and county rivals Kettering Town at St James Park on Tuesday night but the game was called off after the Poppies withdrew from the competition due to a number of Covid-19 cases in their squad.

The draw for the fourth qualifying round was made at lunchtime today (Thursday) and Brackley will host Northern Premier League North/West Division side Marske United a week on Saturday (October 24) for a place in the first round proper.

And Wilkin added: “We were really looking forward to the game with it being a local derby.

“Obviously we have to play Kettering in the league but it would have been nice to play them in the cup as well.

“It’s disappointing and unfortunate but there’s not a lot we can do about it. We are pleased we are through and we will look forward to the next round.”